Jeffrey Salazar
Diet culture is the pervasive belief that certain body types are more valuable than others. It is rooted in a long history of oppressing and profiting from marginalised communities. The Ancient Greeks valued physical fitness and health, believing that a healthy body meant a healthy mind. However, the notion of an ideal body type emerged in the mid-1800s, with Lord Byron, considered the most handsome man of his time, influencing others with his starvation and binge-eating habits. In the 1920s, magazines began promoting images of tall, thin women, and diet companies started advertising laxatives and soaps that washed away fat. After World War II, the diet industry boomed, targeting housewives with harmful weight-loss tactics. The 1970s saw the rise of fad diets, such as the Atkins diet, and the endorsement of low-fat diets by governments. Despite the fat acceptance and liberation movements of the 1960s and 1970s, diet culture remains prevalent, perpetuated by social media influencers and healthcare workers, promoting the idea that thin bodies are superior.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diet culture is intertwined with patriarchal norms and expectations | Diet culture upholds the idea that women must be thin to be valued and accepted |
| Diet culture is rooted in a long history of oppression and profit off of marginalized communities | Diet culture disguises itself as a self-help science |
| Diet culture upholds a narrow view of what is "healthy" and "good" | Diet culture is based on myths that can have negative consequences for one's well-being |
| The stigmatization of body weight and the celebration of food restriction are endorsed to uphold systems of power and oppression | The connection between moral virtue and thinness was influenced by early Christians and further perpetuated by practitioners in the Middle Ages |
| The idea of "ideal body types" emerged in the mid-1800s | Lord Byron, considered the most beautiful man by Victorians, became the first "diet influencer" by popularizing the dangerous vinegar diet |
| The diet industry exploded after World War II due to advancements in food and advertising technology | Diet companies promoted laxatives, soaps that "washed fat away", and the sale of scales |
| The term "diet" shifted from referring to total food and drink consumed to restricted food intake to lose weight | The first diet book, "The Art of Living Long", was published in 1558 by Luigi Cornaro |
| Fad diets became prevalent in society due to pop culture and social media influence | Examples include juice cleanses, liquid diets, and pre-workout regimens |
| Civil rights movements, feminism, and countercultural rebellions in the 1970s led to the rise of fat-liberation groups | Despite this, diet culture prevailed with the publication of high-fat, high-protein, low-carb diets and the endorsement of low-fat diets by the government |
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What You'll Learn
Ancient Greek ideals of health and fitness
The concept of dieting and ideal body types has evolved over the years, with the term "diet" now primarily referring to restricted food intake to lose weight or change one's physique. This shift occurred in the early 1900s, marking a departure from the original meaning of "diet," which simply referred to the total amount and variety of food consumed. Ancient Greek ideals of health and fitness laid the foundation for our modern understanding of wellness, and their influence can be traced through the following aspects:
Physical Capabilities and Fitness
The Ancient Greeks valued physical capabilities and fitness, with the belief that a healthy body led to a healthy mind. They emphasised physical activities such as running, wrestling, gymnastics, and the events of the ancient Greek Olympics: discus throwing, javelin throw, jumping, boxing, and rope climbing. Gymnasiums were common, and physical exercise was considered essential for achieving harmony between the body and mind.
Interdisciplinary Approach to Medicine and Health
Ancient Greek scholars, such as Hippocrates and Galen, took an interdisciplinary approach to medicine and health. They were the first to observe and emphasise the importance of regular exercise for health and well-being. Hippocrates, often regarded as the father of Western medicine, famously stated, "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food," highlighting the connection between diet and health. Their teachings dominated medical thought for centuries and continue to be validated by modern scientific findings.
Birthplace of the Modern Olympics
Ancient Greece was the birthplace of the modern Olympic Games, a celebration of athleticism and physical skill. Fitness was deeply ingrained in their culture, and the "ideal" body was based not on visual physique but on physical abilities. This perspective influenced the way people viewed health and fitness, shifting the focus from mere appearance to the celebration of physical prowess.
Influence on Renaissance Thought
The Ancient Greeks' ideas about health and fitness continued to influence scholars during the Renaissance. De Arte Gymnastica, published in 1569 by Girolamo Mercuriale, explored Greek writings on physical health and exercise. This work reflected the Renaissance's interest in Classical Antiquity and demonstrated the enduring impact of Ancient Greek thought on medicine and health.
In summary, Ancient Greek ideals of health and fitness emphasised physical capabilities, valued cleanliness and hygiene, and recognised the importance of a balanced diet for overall well-being. Their interdisciplinary approach to medicine and health, as well as their celebration of athleticism, laid the foundation for modern concepts of fitness and wellness.
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Patriarchal norms and expectations
Diet culture is deeply intertwined with patriarchal norms and expectations that dictate how women should look and behave. Women's bodies have been objectified, scrutinized, and policed throughout history, as patriarchal systems seek to control and regulate their autonomy. This idea of the ""ideal body type" arose in the mid-1800s, and beauty became reliant on the visuals of a person's body.
The thin ideal and form-fitting clothing of the mid-19th century were so prevalent that the first "diet influencer" emerged in the form of Lord Byron. Byron, considered the most beautiful man by the Victorians, popularised the vinegar diet, which included drinking vinegar with water and eating vinegar-soaked potatoes. This led to dangerous extremes, with records of women in the 1800s dying from drinking pints of vinegar.
The diet industry further exploded after World War II, influenced by advancements in food and advertising technology, and increasing social, economic, and political pressures. The ideal American woman, as portrayed by pop culture, was happily married, had children, and managed the suburban home. Housewives were particularly vulnerable to the diet industry, which promoted harmful tactics such as amphetamines marketed as diet pills.
In the 1960s and 1970s, alongside the rise of civil rights, feminism, and countercultural movements, fat-liberation groups emerged, spreading awareness of the scientific evidence against dieting and intentional weight loss. However, diet culture persisted, with the rise of popular diets such as the Atkins diet and the endorsement of low-fat diets by the government.
The pressure to conform to thin ideals starts early, with studies finding that young girls express concerns about their weight and fear becoming "too fat." This pressure is not restricted to women, as people of all genders may feel self-critical of their bodies and experience the pressure to be thinner. Diet culture perpetuates the idea that certain body types are superior, and this belief system is spread by influencers and even healthcare workers, who promote the message that thin bodies are healthier and more desirable.
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The emergence of diet influencers
Diet culture has a long history, with the Ancient Greeks valuing physical fitness and health, believing that a healthy body meant a healthy mind. The Ancient Greeks also originated the idea of being "fit" and "healthy", though their "ideal" body was based on physical abilities rather than appearance. The connection between moral virtue and thinness, however, came from early Christians, who saw the body as the enemy of the soul. In the Middle Ages, practitioners would engage in long fasts and eat very little to purify their bodies, a kind of disordered eating called Anorexia mirabilis that began the ties between food restriction and morality.
The first diet book, The Art of Living Long, was published in 1558 by Italian Luigi Cornaro, who advised limiting oneself to 12 oz of food and 14 oz of wine a day. However, the idea of "ideal body types" arose only in the mid-1800s, with the thin ideal and form-fitting clothing of the time. This was when the first "diet influencer" emerged in the form of Lord Byron, considered the most beautiful man in the world by the Victorians. He popularised the vinegar diet, which involved drinking vinegar with water and eating vinegar-soaked potatoes.
In the 1920s, magazines started to print pictures of tall, thin women, and diet companies began promoting laxatives, soaps that "washed fat away", and scales. Writer Naomi Wolf argues that:
> "the times in history when women have made the greatest political gains – getting the right to vote, gaining reproductive freedom, securing the right to work outside the home – have also been moments when standards for 'ideal' beauty became significantly thinner and the pressure on women to adhere to those standards increased."
Diet culture is closely intertwined with patriarchal norms and expectations that dictate how women should look and behave. Women's bodies have been objectified, scrutinised, and policed throughout history, as patriarchal systems seek to control and regulate their autonomy. Diet culture perpetuates the idea that women must be thin to be valued and accepted. This pressure starts early, with studies finding that girls as young as six begin expressing concerns about their weight.
In the 1970s, fat-liberation groups began spreading awareness of the scientific evidence against dieting and intentional weight loss. However, diet culture prevailed, and in 1972, Robert Adkins published a book on his high-fat, high-protein, low-carb diet. Soon, a wave of "low-fat" foods was advertised for health. In the 2000s, social media and pop culture made fad diets even more prevalent in society.
Today, the food industry pays 'influencer' dietitians to shape people's eating habits. Registered dietitians are paid to post videos promoting diet soda, sugar, and supplements on TikTok and Instagram. These dietitians have also been paid to tout the benefits of dietary supplements that lack scientific consensus. By paying registered dietitians, the food industry is moving beyond ordinary online influencers to harness the prestige of credentialed experts to deliver commercial messages.
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Post-WWII diet industry explosion
The post-World War II period witnessed a significant shift in the diet industry, with several factors contributing to its explosion. Firstly, the war had left the US government with large quantities of unused ammonium nitrate and poison gases, which were then repurposed as fertilizers and pesticides. This led to a substantial increase in food production, resulting in a market flooded with cheap, high-calorie foods, particularly those made from corn. This surplus of affordable, energy-dense foods set the stage for a new era of dietary habits.
Secondly, the post-war era brought about significant technological advancements and economic changes, which had a profound impact on people's diets. The emergence of television and the rise of advertising meant that companies could now market their products directly to consumers in their homes. This led to a proliferation of ads promoting easy, unhealthy foods like popcorn, pork rinds, and cheese crackers. These advertisements not only sold junk food but also the image of a suburban lifestyle. Images of well-stocked refrigerators and smiling mothers became symbols of domestic bliss, further entrenching the idea that consuming these products was desirable and indicative of success.
The post-WWII period also saw a suburban construction boom as returning soldiers settled down and started families. This shift to suburban living contributed to a more sedentary lifestyle. The design of these new neighbourhoods often prioritised car usage over walking, and the convenience of television dinners and nearby supermarkets made it even easier to adopt less active routines. As a result, people began expending fewer calories than they consumed, contributing to the rise in obesity rates.
Moreover, the post-war era was a time when the science of nutrition was still in its infancy. During the 1930s, scientists had a basic understanding of the role of protein, energy, and minerals in a healthy diet, but their knowledge of specific vitamins and minerals was limited. This lack of comprehensive understanding meant that people were still experimenting with different dietary recommendations. In 1943, the Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) published the nation's first recommended daily dietary allowances, which included guidelines for the intake of calories, protein, calcium, iron, and various vitamins. These recommendations evolved into the "Basic 7," a precursor to the modern food pyramid. However, these guidelines were primarily based on European and New England diets and excluded the cultural foodways of many minority groups, perpetuating a narrow view of what constituted a "healthy" diet.
During this time, diet companies also began promoting various products and trends to shape people's ideas of beauty and health. This included the marketing of laxatives, "fat-reducing" soaps, scales, and fad diets. Lord Byron, considered the most beautiful man by the Victorians, is often regarded as the first "diet influencer." He popularised the idea of starving oneself and then binge eating, followed by attempts to sweat off weight. This dangerous practice, along with his vinegar diet, led to tragic outcomes, with records of women in the 1800s dying from consuming excessive amounts of vinegar.
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Fad diets and social media influence
Diet culture has been perpetuated by societal standards for beauty that value thinness and body shape over one's health and well-being. The stigmatisation of body weight and the celebration of food restriction have been endorsed to uphold systems of power and oppression.
The idea of "ideal body types" arose in the mid-1800s, and beauty became reliant on the visuals of a person's body. The thin ideal and form-fitting clothing of the mid-19th century were so prevalent that the first "diet influencer" emerged. Lord Byron was considered the most beautiful man, and his diet of starving himself and then binge eating was widely followed.
In the 1920s, magazines started to print pictures of tall, thin women, and diet companies began promoting laxatives, soaps that "washed fat away", and the sale of scales and different diets. In the 1970s, with the rise of civil rights, feminism, gay rights, and countercultural rebellion, fat-liberation groups began spreading awareness of the scientific evidence against dieting and intentional weight loss. However, diet culture prevailed, and people started endorsing low-fat diets for optimal health.
Today, social media has given diet culture a much larger platform. Fad diets are often advertised as a quick and easy way to lose weight, and people are more susceptible to content regarding fad diets when they are not satisfied with their body image. Social media celebrities and influencers are often paid to provide advice and suggestions to their followers, and their large followings make them more influential. They promote different diets and fitness trends, such as "eat this to look like this" or "don't eat this to look like this". This can be detrimental to people who don't have a nutritional background, leading to shame and guilt surrounding food choices.
Nutrition and Food Sciences Clinical Assistant Professor Amanda Missimer states that even positive advice on the surface, such as "swap posts" that recommend alternatives to satisfy a sweet tooth, can be physically and mentally damaging. Fad diets like Paleo or Keto, which may appear to have positive effects, could be sapping your body of key nutrients. Missimer also mentions that there is no one-size-fits-all dietary pattern, and that fad diets posted on social media can be dangerous because they make people think they have to replicate them to get the same results.
Cotter, who conducted a study on the impact of social media on nutritional choices, found that about half of the respondents reported adding or subtracting foods from their diet because of a social media post, and 48% reported feeling judged or criticized about their food choices. Cotter also mentions that social media celebrities can be more influential because of their large followings, and that there is a lot of shame and guilt surrounding eating and food choices.
Healthcare experts have developed a health-at-every-size approach, which promotes size inclusivity and intuitive eating principles, recognizing that numerous factors may influence one's natural body size.
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Frequently asked questions
Diet culture is the pervasive belief that certain body types are better than others. It is rooted in the idea that thinner bodies are healthier and more valuable. This belief system has been used to uphold systems of power and oppression, particularly targeting marginalized communities.
The term "diet" originally referred to the total amount of food and drink consumed. It wasn't until the early 1900s that the term took on a new meaning, implying restricted food intake to lose weight or change one's physical appearance.
The origins of diet culture can be traced back to ancient Greece, where the concept of balancing physical and mental health emerged. However, the focus on weight loss and body image didn't become prominent until the 19th century.
In 1862, William Banting, considered Britain's first weight-loss guru, published a pamphlet called "Letter on Corpulence:" Address to the Public, detailing his weight loss journey. This sparked a widespread interest in dieting and led to the first diet influencer, Lord Byron, who promoted extreme weight loss methods.
After World War II, the diet industry experienced a boom due to advancements in food technology, advertising, and social pressures. The 1960s and 1970s saw the rise of the fat acceptance and liberation movements, challenging the status quo. During this time, influential books like Robert Atkins' "Dr. Atkins' Diet Revolution" (1972) promoted specific diets, such as high-fat, high-protein, and low-carb approaches.
